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Modest Fashion: A fashion culture

February 19, 202212:30 p.m.
CÓRDOBA
Visitors Welcoming Center (address: Pza. del Triunfo, s/n). 12:30 p.m. Free entry until the event’s capacity is reached.
In Spanish.

Casa Árabe is taking part in the “Cordoba is Fashion” initiative with this conference, to be held in that city on Saturday, February 19, with the participation of designer Nadia Zein, in addition to other speakers.

The round table discussion will feature participation by designers Francisco Tamaral and Nadia Zein, art historian Laura María Cabrera Bermón, and Isabel Romero, manager of the Halal Institute. Moderated by Cristina Juarranz de la Fuente, Casa Árabe’s Programming Coordinator and Assistant Director.

The phenomenon of Modest Fashion, also known as modest dressing, refers to the trend of wearing clothes which cover most of a person’s skin, with loose-fitting and comfortable garments. The motives behind this choice often include the religious and spiritual beliefs of the trend’s adherents. At this round table discussion, two designers, an art historian and a representative of the Spanish Muslim community will be analyzing the phenomenon in our country.

“Cordoba is Fashion” is an event that brings together the city’s historical heritage and fashion, giving the general public a closer look at the latter. From February 18 to 20, you can view Cordoba’s fashion, crafts and jewelry at emblematic places in the historical city center, where there will be two showrooms, a runway show, round table discussions and activities in which fashion and art are shown hand in hand.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS 

Francisco Tamaral
A fashion designer and stylist based in Cordoba with a career spanning more than 30 years, Tamaral was educated at the Goymar School of Design and Fashion, and at Madrid’s Society of Tailors. He rounded off his learning with studies in Industrial Dressmaking at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and in Haute Couture under that same university’s Balenciaga Chair. He specializes in party and bridal gowns, as well as flamenco dresses and costumes for theatrical productions. He has been given several awards and acknowledgments. In 2009, he broke out onto the international scene by taking part in the Paris Prêt à Porter runway fashion show.

Nadia Zein
A fashion designer of Moroccan origin who is based in Valencia, Zein’s work creates a fusion of Arab and European cultures by mixing textures and colors. Her designs display a deep respect for Muslim tradition, but without losing appeal for Western women. Among Nadia Zein’s creations, her turbans stand out for their originality.

Laura María Cabrera Bermón 
With a bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of Cordoba, a diploma in Tourism from the UNED and a Master’s degree in “Moorish and Iberian-American ArtHeritage” from the University of Seville, she is an expert in the historical and artistic legacy of Al-Andalus. As an official tour guide and guide of Cordoba’s MosqueCathedral, she runs the initiative “LawranDeArabia,” interpreting and increasing awareness about a part of this legacy among both locals and foreign audiences. She has carried out historical and cultural heritage awareness projects for tour guide businesses and participated in several editions of events like “Nights of Ramadan,” “Córdoba en Púrpura” and “El Otoño Sefardí,” promoted by the Cordoba City Council and IMTUR, as well as collaborating with the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation.

Isabel Romero
Manager of the Halal Institute. She has been carrying out work to help the Muslim community for over 20 years, in both the business world and civil society. In 2019, she was given acknowledgment by the Cambridge Institute of Islamic Finance for being one of the 100 most influential women in Islamic business and economics in the world.
Over the last ten years, Casa Árabe has devoted other events to promoting fashion, as well, including:

1. Pilar Dalbat / JULY 2018 
Held on July 5, 2018 at Casa Árabe Madrid, as part of Madrid Fashion Week, was the presentation of a collection of women’s fashion by Pilar Dalbat, inspired by traditional patterns and prints, along with garments which Western society has made its own through fashion, including the caftan and djellaba.

2. Moisés Castañeyra and Lal La Buya / SEPTEMBER 2015 
Casa Árabe Madrid hosted the fashion show created by Moisés Castañeyra, inspired by the city of Melilla. The garments were sewn by a group of students from the Lal La Buya Association, because the project was meant to turn a training course on cutting and tailoring into the creation of a social business.

3. Cintia Robles and Nadia Zein / MARCH 2015 
On March 27, 2015 at Casa Árabe Madrid, this fashion show was held, combining design and religious dress codes. It featured the participation of designer Nadia Zein.

4. “Palestine: Fabrics of culture and voices. Runway show” / DECEMBER 2014 
The project “Palestine: Fabrics of culture and voices,” included a runway show with traditional Palestinian dresses, held in conjunction with the Palestinian Heritage Center. Video

5. “Sudanese Folklore Festival” / JULY 2013 
This fashion show displayed the different varieties of the thawb, a traditional garment from Sudan which is wrapped around women’s bodies in one single piece of print fabric in the style of a tunic. Video

6. “When West Kisses East” / MARCH 2013 
Designer X-Adnan, of Spanish and Syrian origin, presented his men’s collection at Casa Árabe in Madrid, with influences from Berber culture and the Far West, combined with Spanish craftsmanship. Video